Based on interviews with former prisoners, this animated documentary provides a glimpse into the most notorious women’s prison in East Germany. A film about political imprisonment, forced labour, and enormous profits on both sides of the Iron Curtain.

Gabriele Stötzer and Birgit Willschütz were political inmates at Hoheneck Castle, the most notorious women’s prison in East Germany. Their story is one of overcrowded cells, despotic hierarchies, ruthless everydays,
and the enduring effects of incarceration. Most of all, however, it is about the crushing pressure of forced labour. Prisoners at Hoheneck manufactured millions of pantyhose, bed sheets, and other products for West
German retailers, bringing enormous profits to both sides of the Iron Curtain. Part of the young animadoc tradition, the seven-minute film pairs original audio interview extracts with abstract, monochrome animation.

Funded by the Federal Foundation for the Study of the communist dictatorship in Eastern Germany and by the Saxon Memorial Foundation.

Grand Prix of the International Competition at the International Animation Festival Stuttgart (ITFS) 2016. Special Mention of the Jury at Filmfest Dresden 2016. Special Award of the jury at Animafest Zagreb 2016. Audience Award and Judges Award at Melbourne International Animation Festival (animated documentary program). Shortfilm Award for the best shortfilm at Filmkunstfest Mecklenburg-Vorpommern Schwerin. Audience Award for the best shortfilm at Berliner Kurzfilmrolle 2016 ...